WHILE FIFA continues to battle with the scourge of racism, that is deeply entrenched in the major leagues across Europe, in some instances, this has resulted in fines for players and clubs, along with suspensions. And in some instances, countries that fail to control the actions of their supporters, resulted in sanctions against their national federations.

But the scourge of racism has not been eliminated; it’s still being curtailed to an extent. In the most recent instance in Italy, an entire team walked off the field of play when a racial remark was directed to one of its players, a Ghanaian international. This is a position that didn’t go down well with FIFA which is advocating that in all such instances investigations are needed.
Meanwhile, I was left in a complete state of shock and utter disbelief, upon learning that a senior functionary of a leading club locally, had intoned: “Coolie people can’t run football”. Editor, this was in relation to Faizal Khan, an East Indian, who had received a nomination for a vice-presidency, in the recently concluded Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Elections of Office Bearers/Annual General Meeting. With a similar sentiment being expressed the following day, also from an executive of the same club and further implying football in Guyana, is a black people sport. Then I must remonstrate that it’s a sad day for the sport in Guyana!
The contributions of East Indians to the sport of football in Guyana were/are phenomenal. Sponsorship: for the past two decades remains unmatched, with Mohamed’s Enterprises being the longest sponsor, in the Annual Kashif and Shangai K.O Tournament. Bakewell also must receive special mention in this respect, since apart from providing sponsorship also to K & S, the Guyana Football Federation, as recent as last year, with the Golden Jaguars benefited, with New GPC also contributing. In addition to two clubs namely, Topp xx and Buxton Stars. Camptown and Conquerors, with the latter Fruta Conquerors remaining the longest sponsored club, compliments of the Continental Group of Companies and the Guyana Beverage Company.
In the area of competitions, the Annual Chubby under-13 Round Robin/K.O, with DDL was sponsored in the past at the inter-association level. While the GFL/Dharamdeo Sawh Cup Winners Cup; GFL/Didco Division 2 League and the GFL/P.Y.O under-19/20 K.O were all in the pipeline prior to 1992. Coincidentally, the Annual Mayor’s Cup is also in receipt of sponsorship from the Indo-Guyanese business community, with Crawler & Wheeler, A. H & L Kissoon and Keishar’s among the major sponsors.
While not foregoing the contributions of Beepat, Giftland Office Max and the Beharry Group of Companies, national representation to the best of my memory was limited to only three persons, one from GFC and two from the then YSM Beacons. Administratively, within Georgetown, the late Harold “Lightweight” Kissoon; Adogha Persaud and Andrew Hussein (both deceased) of Conquerors and Western Tigers respectively were standout administrators within the then GFL. “Lightweight” must also be credited for his role in “soft shoe” football and inter-ward football, along with the formation of the now defunct Lodge Rovers Football Club!
By the way, didn’t the executives of both Pele and Santos recently have East Indians? So, what’s the big fuss now with Faizal Khan? And last but not least, on administration, Hakim Khan of the Essequibo Football Association was extremely professional many years ago, in hosting Fruta Conquerors for a match in the PNDC Challenge Cup K.O, at the Anna Regina Ground. I may be viewed as a sympathiser to the contributions of East Indians, in football locally. If so, then I have no apologies to make, but would advocate that “football despite being the largest spectator sport globally, is also the most compassionate and emotional! And in the long-term would be better off with one East Indian, knowledgeable in administration, which would bring a new dispensation to the sport. Rather, than an all-black executive that after a significant amount of years, cannot show one iota of development!” If, such a comment was made at a meeting in my presence, I would have immediately orchestrated a walkout, had the chairman failed to demand a retraction and subsequent apology on a point of order.
As a consequence, it’s incumbent on the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) to launch an investigation, and impose the relevant sanctions, in accordance with the statutes of FIFA.